10 Benefits of Doing a Master's in Canada: Costs, Best Universities, and More

According to Statistics Canada, a master’s costs about $21,100 per year for international graduate students, with living costs around $15,000 per year. However, the cost of your master’s depends on your program, the university, and province you choose to do it in.  

Cost of Master’s in Quebec 

International students who study in Quebec may be eligible to pay the same annual tuition as Quebec students. For more information, visit the Government of Quebec’s exemption from additional fees page.  
 

Higher Studies in Canada with a Scholarship  

Whether you decide on a certificate, diploma, or a master’s, scholarships can be a big help. Top resources include EduCanada’s scholarship search tool and IDP Canada’s scholarship search. For more information on how to find postgraduate scholarships in Canada for international students, check out our blog post. 

Yes! Canada is a top destination for international students and is ranked second in the world (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).

Here are 10 benefits of completing your master’s in Canada as an international student.

1. You Get a High-Quality Education 

University of Toronto, McGill University, and University of British Columbia are ranked consistently among the best universities in the world (QS Top Universities World University Rankings), delivering quality and excellence in academics. Plus, many Canadian universities are known for their global contributions, offering rigorous research and education opportunities for students. 

2. Diversity and Multiculturalism is Great 

Canada is a great place for international students because inclusivity and multiculturalism are considered its most distinctive features. In fact, 92.0% of Canada's population see ethnic or cultural diversity as a Canadian value (2020 General Social Survey). Plus, 1 in 4 people in Canada are part of a racialized group.  

3. There is a Welcoming Population 

Canada is known for being a great place for international students because of its welcoming population. According to the OECD Better Life Index*, Canada scores well in terms of community and strong gender and social equality despite economic and social status. Canada also scores higher than the OECD average in quality of support network, where 93% of people believe they could rely on someone in a time of need. 

4. There are Many Job Opportunities 

A master’s means a higher chance of getting a professional job that involves more responsibilities and skill development. If you choose to work as a student in Canada, there are several opportunities available to international students. Canada has a healthy labour market, which adds ease to finding work. Canada has maintained a low unemployment rate in comparison to other countries, with the percentage of individuals unemployed for a year or longer at 0.5%, lower than the OECD Better Life Index average of 1.3%.  

5. The Positive Impact on Your Salary  

If you complete a master’s degree in Canada, you can see a boost in your earnings after graduation. According to a study conducted by Statistics Canada, individuals with a master’s degree earned more cumulatively than their peers with less education over a ten-year period.  Plus, graduates who learn more have higher average incomes (Universities Canada): 

• Master’s degree graduates - $84.4K 

• Bachelor’s degree graduates - $68.3K 

• Average income for all Canadians - $51.9K 

6. A Better Quality of Life 

Canada has a strong quality of life in comparison to other countries, outperforming the average in income, jobs, education, health, environmental quality, social connections, and life satisfaction (OECD Better Life Index). Canadians also have a higher life satisfaction than the OECD average. 

7. Tuition is Affordable  

Canada is a cost-effective place to get a master’s degree. The average global cost of a master’s degree is $40,000 and the average cost of a master’s degree for international students in Canada is $22,061 (2023-2024, Statistics Canada).   

8. The Importance of Safety  

How safe is studying in Canada? Canada is considered one of the safest countries in the world (Global Peace Index 2023). It also has one of the lowest crime rates in comparison to other countries (United Nations Office of Drug and Crime).  

9. Access to the Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) 

The Post Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) is one of the top reasons international students choose Canada. It lets you stay in Canada after graduation to work full-time, as long as you’ve completed a certificate, degree, or diploma that is at least 8 months long.  International students are advised to apply for PGWP while you have your study permit (you have 180 days to apply for the permit after graduation). Applying doesn’t require a formal job offer.  

10. There are Immigration Opportunities 

Completing a master’s degree in Canada as an international student means having access to several immigration pathways. You can use the Government of Canada’s Come to Canada Tool or its cheat sheet chart of available immigration programs to see what is available to you.  Here are the permanent residency programs available to international graduates: 

• Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program 

• Canadian Experience Class (Express Entry) 

• Federal Skilled Trades Program (Express Entry) 

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (Express Entry) 

• Provincial Nominee Program 

• Rural Northern Immigration Pilot 

Choosing between a degree, a certificate, and a diploma depends on factors like time, cost, and career goals. Here is a brief summary of their differences and benefits: 

• A certificate is less time-consuming, and cheaper, but offers more specific training 

• A diploma is longer than a certificate and more expensive, and offers broad training 

• A degree or master’s is the most expensive and time-consuming but offers more comprehensive and in-depth education and training.  

Here are the benefits of a master’s degree:  

• Higher earning potential 

• Opportunities for career advancement 

• Enhanced credibility for jobs 

• More career choices 

Here are the benefits of a certificate:  

• Flexibility when it comes to start and end dates for classes 

• Cost-effectiveness 

• Offers specialized skill training and knowledge 

Here are the benefits of a diploma: 

• Affordable in comparison to degrees 

• Real-world experience (if it includes a co-op or internship)  

• Opportunities to network 

Here are the top 10 universities in Canada for international students, based on data collected from QS TopUniversities World University Rankings.  

1. University of Toronto 

2. McGill University 

3. University of British Columbia 

4. University of Alberta 

5. University of Waterloo 

6. Western University 

7. Université de Montréal 

8. University of Calgary 

9. McMaster University 

10. University of Ottawa 

According to Statistics Canada, the fields of study with the cheapest graduate degrees for international students are:  

• Personal, protective and transportation services - Total Cost: $14, 201 CAD 

• Optometry - Total Cost: $15, 092 CAD 

• Humanities - Total Cost: $16, 047 CAD 

• Pharmacy - Total Cost: $16, 171 CAD 

• Agriculture, Natural resources and Conservation - Total Cost: $17, 224 CAD 
   

The 10 Canadian universities offering the cheapest master’s degrees in the country are:  

1. Canadian Mennonite University - Starting at $1,247.75 CAD per term 
   For more information, please see Canadian Mennonite University’s Tuition and Fees page. 
    

2. University of Regina - Starting at $1,523.85 CAD per term  
   For more information, please see University of Regina’s Fee Schedules page.  
    

3. Simon Fraser University - Starting at $2,067 CAD per term 
   For more information, please visit Simon Fraser University’s Graduate Tuition Fees page. 
    

4. Brandon University - Starting at $2,149.81 CAD per term 
   For more information, please see Brandon University Tuition Tables page.  
    

5. Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) - Starting at $2,218 CAD per term.  
   For more information, please see Memorial University’s Graduate Tuition and Fees page.  
    

6. University of Northern British Columbia - Starting at $2,548.20 CAD per term 
   For more information, please see University of Northern British Columbia’s Tuition and Fees page.  
    

7. University of Calgary - Starting at $2,693 CAD per term 
   For more information, please visit these University of Calgary pages: 

• P.1.2 Graduate Tuition and General Fees 

• P.2.4 Graduate Program-Specific Tuition and Fees 

• Faculty of Graduate Studies - International Students 
   

8. University of Saskatchewan - Starting at $3,699.00 CAD per term  
For more information, please visit University of Saskatchewan’s Graduate Tuition Rates page.  
 

9. University of Guelph - Starting at $6,352 CAD per term 
For more information, please visit University of Guelph’s Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Cost of Tuition/Living page.   
 

10. Concordia University - Starting at $11,066 CAD per term 
For more information, please visit Concordia University’s Tuition and Fee Estimates page. 

There are many benefits of doing a master’s in Canada, and we hope this blog helps provide some clarity on whether it’s the right place for you. 

If you’re an international student with more questions about higher education in Canada, reach out to IDP Education’s education counsellors. They’re here to help. Book a free call here.